I am writing about the required information. Shall I send it through the post office or as an attachment to this message?

Best wishes,

Irina Petrova. Unit 3

Internet in academic study. Does it have any drawbacks?

The Internet is a network of millions of computers around the world, connected by phone lines, satellite, cable or Wi-Fi technologies, so that all the computers on the net can exchange information with each other.

The Internet is without doubt one of the most important inventions in history. It was started in 1968 by the US government, but at first it was used mainly by scientists. Since 1990, when the World Wide Web was created, the Internet has changed the world, and its uses are growing every day.

The main use of the Internet is to find information – for your schoolwork or job, or just to find out more about hobbies, sports or current events. All of the latest information is available to you, in your home, at any hour of the day or night. Also on-line shopping makes it possible to search through catalogues to find exactly what you want at the best price, saving both time and money. By joining a newsgroup or chat group, you can share your hobbies and special interests, and perhaps make friends all over the world. E-mail makes it possible to send electronic messages anywhere in the world in seconds. Moreover, using the Internet you can play games; download photographs, music and video.

It has also revolutionized the way of teaching and learning. University lecturers are now able to put their lectures on the Internet for students to read and so the importance of attending face to face lectures has been reduced. But is it good or bad?

First, the level of lecturer/student contact may be decreased simply because students do not need to spend so much time at the university. This can lead to the negative impact on student/lecturer relationships.

Second, we have to consider the disadvantages to student health. Studying is by nature a very sedentary activity involving long hours reading books and writing assignments.

In addition, these activities are usually done alone. Going to the university offers students a change of scenery, a bit of exercise, and an opportunity to meet and socialize with other students.

Furthermore, when you are self-educating, when the Internet is used as a source of information, it can create additional problems.

Some data can be unverifiable. For example, every time you search for data, there would be lots of choices that appear on the screen. You would not be sure if the data you are reading has accurate information. A few sources have even outdated information.

And finally, not everything is available through the net. When my friend had tried to search for some pictures of the 18^th century paintings, he did not find any results. Then he was told by his teacher that it would only be available in the library.

Notes to the text:

by joining a newsgroup – присоединяясь к группе новостей;

sedentary activity – пассивное занятие;

writing assignments – выполнение заданий в письменной форме;

going to the university – посещение университета;

a change of scenery – смена обстановки;

a bit of exercise – незначительная физическая нагрузка;

unverifiable data – неподдающиеся проверке данные;

there would be lots of choices – наверняка, есть много выбора (В данном контексте would выражает предположение (уверенность) в чём-либо);

you would not be sure - вы, скорее всего, не уверены… (Аналогичный предыдущему случай употребления глагола would);

accurate information – точная информация.